NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk will travel to South Africa this week to represent New Zealand at the Group of Twenty (G20) Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting. 

“As an exporting nation reliant on trade, this is a significant opportunity to advance our interests with some of the world’s largest economies,” Mr Penk says.

The G20 is a grouping of the world’s most significant economies which make up 85 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) and 75 percent of international trade.  

New Zealand has been invited to participate as a guest country alongside G20 members to discuss a variety of trade and investment issues, including a reinforced commitment to upholding the international rules-based trading system. 

During his visit, Mr Penk will participate in a ministerial meeting on issues relating to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and advocate for New Zealand’s priorities of defending, strengthening, and modernising the organisation. 

Mr Penk will also seek to enhance the New Zealand relationship with South Africa. 

“New Zealand and South Africa enjoy a warm relationship based on shared democratic values, strong people-to-people and sporting links,” Mr Penk says.

“My engagements in South Africa build on these values by exploring opportunities with my counterparts for collaboration between our small businesses and governments.”

The annual Group of Twenty (G20) Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting will be held on 9-10 October in Gqeberha.

Mr Penk returns to New Zealand on 12 October. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Parliament’s passing of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act has ushered into law a bold new era of marine protection for one of our most majestic seascapes, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.   

“For years, communities and people across the political divide have despaired at the effects of the Gulf’s long-standing ecological decline leading to desolate kina barrens and habitat loss,” Mr Potaka says. 

“Today, National has delivered the biggest new marine protection area in more than a decade for Aotearoa New Zealand. We’ve taken a once-in-a-generation step to turn around the health of the Gulf by nearly tripling marine protection and creating 19 new protection areas. 

“In the decades to come, we expect to see fish stocks like tāmure (snapper) and kōura (rock lobster) rebuilding, richer kelp forests creating underwater nurseries, and seabird colonies found nowhere else in the world living healthier on offshore islands. Imagine children fishing off an Auckland wharf into waters once again thriving.

“This year will mark the 50^th anniversary of the world’s first marine reserve, Goat Island Goat Island / Te Hāwere a Maki, which will more than triple in size under the Act. Where once fish were scarce, it’s now a living classroom enjoyed by 350,000 people visiting every year, and it produces ten times more snapper than any comparable stretch of coast in the Gulf. 

“Many New Zealanders know the beauty of the Gulf is a catalyst for local economies through tourism, recreation and fishing. The NZ Institute of Economic Research recently estimated its economic value at $100 billion.  

“Overall, the legislation ensures we balance the needs of communities, the environment and the economy. We are establishing High Protection Areas for 800 square kilometres while limited local ring-net fishing for common species will only be allowed in three per cent of the total protected area. This will be reviewed after three years. 

“A new team of DOC Marine Rangers are out on the water now, educating the public, ensuring compliance, and monitoring the effectiveness of all changes.  

“The Act is the culmination of a process that began in 2013 with the Sea Change Project. I acknowledge the many years of mahi from many, for example the Hauraki Gulf Forum and iwi such as Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.   

“The new legislation will come into place before the end of the year. We will be reinforcing this mahi with further International Visitor Levy investment into protecting the Hauraki Gulf to be announced soon.” 

Te ārahi i te tiakanga o Tīkapa Moana   

Nō tā te Pāremata whakature i te Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act, kua tau te ture ki te takiwā māia hou o te tiakanga moana mō tētahi o ō tātou horamoana tino wheriko nei, ko tā Te Minita Whāomoomo, ko tā Tama Potaka.  

“I matapōuri ngā hapori me ngā tāngata i ia taha o te rohenga tōrangapū, i roto i ngā tau maha, nā runga anō i ngā pānga o te tupuheke hauropi mauroa o Tīkapa Moana, ko tōna hua ko te tūpā o ngā wāhi kina me te ngaronga o te nōhanga,” ko tā Matua Potaka.

“I tēnei rā, kua tukua e Nāhinara te rohe moana tiakanga hou, ā, koinei te mea tino nui o ngā rohe moana tiakanga hou i Aotearoa Nu Tirani nei i te neke atu i te kotahi ngahurutau. Ka oti i a mātou te mahi me uaua ka kitea anō i te reanga kotahi, e takahuria ai te hauora o Tīkapa Moana, mā te tata ki te reatoru i te nui o te tiakanga moana me te waihanga i te 19 o ngā rohe tiakanga hou.

“Hei ngā ngahurutau e heke mai ana, e tāria ana te kitea atu i te ranea haere o ngā mahinga ika pērā i te tāmure me te kōura, i ngā ngahere rimurapa haumako ake hei kōhanga i raro i te wai, i te pikinga ki te hauora o ngā kāhui manu moana, tē kitea i wāhi kē atu i te ao, i ngā motu. Pohewatia ngā tamariki e hī ika ana i tētahi wāpu i Tāmaki Makaurau ki ngā wai kua tōnui anō ōna hua.

“Ka whakanuia i tēnei tau te huritau te 50 o te āpure moana tuatahi o te ao, arā ko Te Hāwere a Maki, ka reatorutia tōna rahinga i raro i te Ture nei. Tērā te wā e ongeonge ana te ika i taua wāhi, ināianei he akomanga mataora kē te wāhi rā, e 350,000 ngā tāngata e toro atu ana ki Te Hāwere a Maki i ia tau, ā, ka whakareatia ki te tekau tōna whakaputa tāmure ina whakatairitea ki tētahi wāhi ōrite o te takutai i Tīkapa Moana. 

“Tokomaha ngā tāngata o Aotearoa e mōhio nei, hāpaingia ai ngā ōhanga o te rohe, e te rerehua o Tīkapa Moana, mā te tāpoi, mā te mahi rēhia, mā te hī ika hoki. Nō nākuanei, ko te whakatau tata o te NZ Institute of Economic Research, $100 piriona tōna wāriu ā-ohaoha.  

“Hui tahi, kua whakaritea e te ture e whakatauritehia ai e tātou ngā hiahia o ngā hapori, o te taiao, me te ōhanga. Kei te whakatūria e mātou ngā Rohe Tiakanga Nui (High Protection Areas) ki te 800 kiromita pūrua, ā, ka whakaaetia ki te toru ōrau anake o te tapeke o te wāhi tiakanga, ētahi mahi hopu-porowhita i ngā momo ika e tino kitea ana. Arotakehia ai tēnei i muri i te toru tau.

“Kua tū mai tētahi rōpū hou o ngā Tāngata Tiaki Moana o Te Papa Atawhai, e rere haere nei i te wai, e whakaritea ai te uruhi, e aroturukihia ai hoki te whai hua o ngā panonitanga katoa.  

“He hua tēnei Ture o tētahi tukanga i tīmatahia i te tau 2013 ki te kaupapa e kīia nei ko te Sea Change Project. E mihi ana ahau ki ngā tini mahi a te tangata rau, i roto i ngā tau, hei tauira, ko Te Wānanga o Tīkapa Moana me ngā iwi pērā i a Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.

“Ka whai mana te ture hou mua i te mutunga o te tau. Whakaūngia ai e mātou tēnei mahi mā te haumitanga atu anō o te International Visitor Levy ki te tiaki i a Tīkapa Moana, ā, ka whakapuakina ai ā kō ake nei.”

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  07 October 2025 Source:  Office of the Minister of Conservation

“For years, communities and people across the political divide have despaired at the effects of the Gulf’s long-standing ecological decline leading to desolate kina barrens and habitat loss,” Mr Potaka says.

“Today, National has delivered the biggest new marine protection area in more than a decade for Aotearoa/New Zealand. We’ve taken a once-in-a-generation step to turn around the health of the Gulf by nearly tripling marine protection and creating 19 new protection areas.

“In the decades to come, we expect to see fish stocks like tāmure (snapper) and kōura (rock lobster) rebuilding, richer kelp forests creating underwater nurseries, and seabird colonies found nowhere else in the world living healthier on offshore islands. Imagine children fishing off an Auckland wharf into waters once again thriving,” Mr Potaka says.

“This year will mark the 50^th anniversary of the world’s first marine reserve, Goat Island / Te Hāwere a Maki, which will more than triple in size under the Act. Where once fish were scarce, it’s now a living classroom enjoyed by 350,000 people visiting every year, and it produces ten times more snapper than any comparable stretch of coast in the Gulf.

“Many New Zealanders know the beauty of the Gulf is a catalyst for local economies through tourism, recreation and fishing. The NZ Institute of Economic Research recently estimated its economic value at $100 billion. 

“Overall, the legislation ensures we balance the needs of communities, the environment and the economy. We are establishing High Protection Areas for 800 square kilometres while limited local ring-net fishing for common species will only be allowed in three per cent of the total protected area. This will be reviewed after three years.

“A new team of DOC Marine Rangers are out on the water now, educating the public, ensuring compliance, and monitoring the effectiveness of all changes. 

“The Act is the culmination of a process that began in 2013 with the Sea Change Project. I acknowledge the many years of mahi from many, for example the Hauraki Gulf Forum and iwi such as Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.”  

“The new legislation will come into place before the end of the year. We will be reinforcing this mahi with further International Visitor Levy investment into protecting the Hauraki Gulf to be announced soon.”

Te ārahi i te tiakanga o Tīkapa Moana  

 Nō tā te Pāremata whakature i te Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act, kua tau te ture ki te takiwā māia hou o te tiakanga moana mō tētahi o ō tātou horamoana tino wheriko nei, ko tā Te Minita Whāomoomo, ko tā Tama Potaka.  

“I matapōuri ngā hapori me ngā tāngata i ia taha o te rohenga tōrangapū, i roto i ngā tau maha, nā runga anō i ngā pānga o te tupuheke hauropi mauroa o Tīkapa Moana, ko tōna hua ko te tūpā o ngā wāhi kina me te ngaronga o te nōhanga,” ko tā Matua Potaka.

“I tēnei rā, kua tukua e Nāhinara te rohe moana tiakanga hou, ā, koinei te mea tino nui o ngā rohe moana tiakanga hou i Aotearoa nei i te neke atu i te kotahi ngahurutau. Ka oti i a mātou te mahi me uaua ka kitea anō i te reanga kotahi, e takahuria ai te hauora o Tīkapa Moana, mā te tata ki te reatoru i te nui o te tiakanga moana me te waihanga i te 19 o ngā rohe tiakanga hou.

“Hei ngā ngahurutau e heke mai ana, e tāria ana te kitea atu i te ranea haere o ngā mahinga ika pērā i te tāmure me te kōura, i ngā ngahere rimurapa haumako ake hei kōhanga i raro i te wai, i te pikinga ki te hauora o ngā kāhui manu moana, tē kitea i wāhi kē atu i te ao, i ngā motu. Pohewatia ngā tamariki e hī ika ana i tētahi wāpu i Tāmaki Makaurau ki ngā wai kua tōnui anō ōna hua,” ko tā Matua Potaka.

“Ka whakanuia i tēnei tau te huritau te 50 o te āpure moana tuatahi o te ao, arā ko Te Hāwere a Maki, ka reatorutia tōna rahinga i raro i te Ture nei. Tērā te wā e ongeonge ana te ika i taua wāhi, ināianei he akomanga mataora kē te wāhi rā, e 350,000 ngā tāngata e toro atu ana ki Te Hāwere a Maki i ia tau, ā, ka whakareatia ki te tekau tōna whakaputa tāmure ina whakatairitea ki tētahi wāhi ōrite o te takutai i Tīkapa Moana.

“Tokomaha ngā tāngata o Aotearoa e mōhio nei, hāpaingia ai ngā ōhanga o te rohe, e te rerehua o Tīkapa Moana, mā te tāpoi, mā te mahi rēhia, mā te hī ika hoki. Nō nākuanei, ko te whakatau tata o te NZ Institute of Economic Research, $100 piriona tōna wāriu ā-ohaoha. 

“Hui tahi, kua whakaritea e te ture e whakatauritehia ai e tātou ngā hiahia o ngā hapori, o te taiao, me te ōhanga. Kei te whakatūria e mātou ngā Rohe Tiakanga Nui (High Protection Areas) ki te 800 kiromita pūrua, ā, ka whakaaetia ki te toru ōrau anake o te tapeke o te wāhi tiakanga, ētahi mahi hopu-porowhita i ngā momo ika e tino kitea ana. Arotakehia ai tēnei i muri i te toru tau.

“Kua tū mai tētahi rōpū hou o ngā Tāngata Tiaki Moana o Te Papa Atawhai, e rere haere nei i te wai, e whakaritea ai te uruhi, e aroturukihia ai hoki te whai hua o ngā panonitanga katoa. 

“He hua tēnei Ture o tētahi tukanga i tīmatahia i te tau 2013 ki te kaupapa e kīia nei ko te Sea Change Project. E mihi ana ahau ki ngā tini mahi a te tangata rau, i roto i ngā tau, hei tauira, ko Te Wānanga o Tīkapa Moana me ngā iwi pērā i a Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.”  

“Ka whai mana te ture hou mua i te mutunga o te tau. Whakaūngia ai e mātou tēnei mahi mā te haumitanga atu anō o te International Visitor Levy ki te tiaki i a Tīkapa Moana, ā, ka whakapuakina ai ā kō ake nei.”

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

An ongoing investigation targeting alleged money laundering using cash wages within the construction industry has resulted in further arrests.

Operation Beach is a long running covert investigation targeting the ongoing manipulation of the construction industry for the purposes of money laundering via cash wage payments.

To date, 16 arrests have been made, with the latest phase in the investigation yielding seven further arrests today.

This morning, Police executed nine search warrants at properties in Ellerslie, Mt Wellington, Panmure, Mt Roskill, Weymouth, Murrays Bay, Waimauku and Whenuapai, taking seven people into custody.

Tens of thousands in cash, illegal drugs, luxury goods and evidence relating to the ongoing investigation were seized.

Detective Inspector Chris Allan, of the Financial Crime Group, says Police will allege those arrested have used cash payments to “wash” money coming in through illicit activities.

“Sectors that use cash in high volumes are susceptible to exploitation by organised crime groups who look to inject proceeds of crime into labourers’ wages at legitimate construction projects.

“Police allege the scale of this laundering is significant and involves multiple millions in transacted funds,” he says.

“Police work closely with our partner agencies to investigate and raise awareness about this type of activity. In doing so, Police expect these sectors to take note”.

Detective Inspector Allan says today’s actions reflect the hard line approach being taken to disrupt all facets of organised crime activity.

“Money laundering is not a victimless crime – it facilitates organised crime groups that cause considerable harm in the community.

“Police are focused on disrupting the entire network at all levels of organised crime groups through to those that help launder the money.”

In August 2023, Police commenced phase one of this investigation, identifying a money laundering organisation responsible for laundering funds generated through importation and supply of controlled drugs, cultivation and supply of cannabis and illegal prostitution occurring across the North Island.

From earlier phases, five people were arrested on a number of money laundering charges.

A further 11 people were arrested on a variety of drug and immigration charges and approximately $1million in cash was seized.

Detective Inspector Allan says paying wages in cash is not just risky — it can be criminal.

“Cash wage payments create a fertile ground for money laundering, tax evasion and exploitation of vulnerable workers.

“Employers who pay in cash may unknowingly (or deliberately) facilitate organised crime, including drug trafficking and human exploitation.”

He says Police and partner agencies are actively targeting this behaviour.

“If you’re an employer, protect your business and your workers by ensuring all wage payments are traceable and compliant with New Zealand law and if you’re a worker, know your rights and report suspicious practices.”

MBIE is assisting Police with their investigation where it involves migrants who may be involved with criminal activity in New Zealand.

Police are unable to provide further comment as the matter is before the Court.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  07 October 2025

DOC is working with police in Oamaru to identify what caused the death of the kororā after a witness reported suspicious vehicle activity on The Esplanade in Oamaru between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm that night. The witness retrieved the injured penguin, which was initially alive, but died soon after.

DOC Ōtepoti/Dunedin Operations manager Gabe Davies says they are particularly interested in video, CCTV or mobile phone footage which could help determine what happened and provide evidence for a potential prosecution under the Wildlife Act.

“Kororā are such precious birds and are the world’s smallest penguins. The death of this penguin appears to be a shockingly senseless act. They live and nest so close to an urban environment and are a popular tourist attraction. They are threatened and in decline and should be protected by the public and not put further at risk,” he says.

Gabe Davies wants to remind people that everyone has a part to play when out ‘naturing’ in the coming months. He says with more wildlife nesting and living next to coastal highways, it’s very important for drivers to be more aware and to watch out for penguins, sea lions and other species on the road.

“We are heading into a busy summer season and it’s shocking that these incidents keep occurring. Police are still investigating the deaths of three sea lions/pakake which were shot near the mouth of the Waitaki River in August. All three had wounds consistent with being shot by a firearm. While thankfully these types of appalling incidents are rare, we get too many reports of people not acting in a respectful way towards New Zealand’s precious native wildlife,” he says.

“If anyone has any information regarding the recent kororā death, please call 0800 DOC HOT number. I’d also like to remind the public to call us if they witness anyone threatening wildlife. Don’t wait until after the fact, call us or the police immediately.”

The maximum penalty for killing a protected species like the kororā is two years imprisonment, a fine of $100,000 or both.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

A 36-year-old woman was caught driving badly impaired, over three times the legal alcohol limit, on Monday morning.

Sergeant Colin Wright says this recent example demonstrates the risk that drivers take if they get behind the wheel when they’re impaired.

About 10am on Monday 6 October Detectives Karin Wakefield and Piet De Vegt, from Whanganui Criminal Investigations Branch, were driving to an appointment in Taihape in an unmarked police vehicle.

They were held up in road work traffic near Whangaehu on SH3 when they were approached by an observant driver from the vehicle in front.

He said the car in front of him had been swerving all over the road.

As traffic started moving, he pulled over to let the detectives pass, and they observed the dangerous driving firsthand.

They pulled over the vehicle in Whangaehu village and, not having a breath test device to hand, called for a nearby Constable for support.

The breath test found the driver was 3.5 times the legal limit.

“She was oblivious to her offending and even said she had dropped her children off at school that morning,” Sergeant Wright says.

She was arrested and is due to appear in Whanganui District Court today, Tuesday 7 October.

“It was also quite clear this driver needed help, and a referral has been made for support with alcohol and drug issues.

“We catch people driving impaired at any time of the day.

“Their families are put at risk. And as fellow road users, our families are put at risk.

“Our staff see devastating consequences of drunk drivers far too frequently.

“These detectives had to change their plans for the day, but it’s highly likely they prevented a serious incident.

“It’s a good reminder to all drivers that they can expect to be observed, stopped, and breath tested anywhere, at any time,” Sergeant Wright says.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Government

The latest report from the OECD’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2024 shows initial teaching training (ITE) isn’t sufficiently supporting new teachers to be confident in the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

It found:

• 62 per cent of graduate teachers were not confident in teaching content of all subjects they teach.
• 54 per cent weren’t confident in pedagogical approaches (how to teach it) in all the subjects that they teach.

“Building the workforce of the future is one of our six priority areas and it’s concerning to see our new teachers trained through ITE are not sufficiently prepared for the classroom. These results are significantly lower than many comparable OECD countries at all levels of experience, and substantially lower than what was last recorded in 2018,” Ms Stanford says. 

“We are delivering comprehensive education reform, it’s critical our fantastic teachers are equipped with the confidence and skills they need to thrive in the classroom.

“The Government is working to lift the quality of initial teacher education through updated programme requirements, stronger oversight, and clearer policy direction. I remain committed to supporting teachers with training and professional development, particularly when it comes to the curriculum changes that we are progressing. I intend to announce further decisions in due course.”

Other findings include teachers are confident users of digital technology, are using AI more than other countries and want to keep developing in this area. Around half the teachers surveyed were satisfied with their salary, substantially up from 36 per cent in 2018. Over 85 per cent report enjoying their job, their place of work, and teaching itself, and over two thirds are they are valued by students and parents in their school.

Between 2018 and 2024, the proportion of Year 7 to 10 teachers in schools where the principal said at least 10 percent of students had learning support needs increased from 19 percent to 77 percent.

“Through Budget 25, we delivered the most significant investment in learning support in a generation. Our $750 million investment is resulting in a smart, system-wide reform that significantly increases specialist and support staff resources in our schools.

“We are firmly committed to backing teachers to succeed in the classroom and deliver the world-leading education Kiwi kids deserve,” Ms Stanford says.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

With warmer weather on the way, road users will notice more construction crews hard at work across the Bay of Plenty regions as the 2025/2026 construction season is underway.

From rebuilding sections of state highway to laying fresh asphalt and carrying out our regular programme of summer maintenance, the focus this summer is on keeping roads safe, efficient and reliable.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) System Manager for the Bay of Plenty Sandra King says this season’s programme is about more than just repairs.  

“It’s about strengthening the network, so it remains safe, reliable and ready to meet the needs of all road users. 

“The key corridors that we’ll be targeting this season are State Highway (SH) 29 from Tauriko to the Kaimai Summit, SH2 between Bethlehem and Bayfair and extending eastwards to Ōtamarākau, as well as SH5, SH30, SH30A and SH33 in the Rotorua area.”

People will notice more crews and work sites from now through to the end of March 2026.

“We’re doing as much work as possible between now and mid-December to reduce the impact on people’s journeys during the busy holiday season” says Ms King. “To achieve this we’re also heavily reliant on the weather and other factors co-operating.”

This year’s maintenance programme aims to renew around 45 single lane kilometres in the Bay of Plenty, to give drivers safer, smoother journeys, and to keep our state highways in good condition.

“We appreciate road users slowing down through our worksites, helping keep our crews safe as they work long hours, day and night, throughout summer, while others are out enjoying their road trips.

“Slowing down through work sites helps keep everyone safe. Road conditions may be unfamiliar or changing, so it’s important to stay alert and reduce your speed. Slow down. Be alert. Be safe.”

To find out more about the upcoming maintenance season:

How to be safe around roadworks

Our contractors carry out the maintenance work across the Bay of Plenty on behalf of NZTA, so you will likely see their crews when you’re out travelling through the region.

Kia Tupato Ki Nga Kaimahi – please watch out for any road workers. We care about our team and believe everyone has the right to return home to their whanau at the end of the day.

Always reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the traffic management directions at our work sites. 

It’s important to slow down through newly sealed sections of road because small chips can be flicked up from the road surface and damage vehicles – especially windscreens. That’s why we often keep temporary speed limits in place even after it looks like the work has been completed. As well as safety, the temporary speed limit also helps ensure the quality of the reseal. Travelling at the posted temporary speed limit allows for the chips to be embedded into the road surface and for them to remain in place as the seal cures.

Please be patient with our crews as they set up and pack down work sites including placing or removing cones and signage. Overtaking these working vehicles can be dangerous to our teams on the trucks but also to vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.

If you have any concerns or require information about works in your area call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 444 449). 

Source: New Zealand Police

To attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Philip Skoglund, Masterton Police:

Police are investigating the death of a 3-month-old baby girl in Masterton.

At around 2pm on Thursday 2 October, Police were notified of the incident.

Officers are now working to determine what exactly has occurred.

The family are assisting the investigation team with our enquiries, and we are not seeking anyone else at this time. 

Police are awaiting a formal report from the pathologist, following the postmortem examination being completed.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

Statement from Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill

After considering staff and community feedback, it has been decided that Canterbury Police will not proceed with our proposed district review.

Throughout this process it has been important to challenge ourselves to think outside the square, and to innovate how we service the needs of our communities.  The proposal was a genuine attempt to offer what I believed would be a better service to the district, including a 24-7 response in rural areas.

Much of the feedback from staff and the community has been supportive. The reality is that the proposal was not acceptable to many of the communities affected, and in my view their buy-in was a critical element in the proposal’s success. We could not proceed without that support.

In reaching this decision, I listened carefully to the concerns and considered feedback from the community and other interested parties, as well as those of Police staff.

There were those who did support the changes and I acknowledge some may be disappointed.

I have discussed this with the Commissioner of Police, and he has assured me I have his support for this decision today.

Some of what we aimed to do can be achieved without the wider restructure and we will now work carefully through the options to decide what is possible.

Every district has its own priorities and demands and those can often be met through deployment decisions.

Canterbury District’s Gang Disruption Unit, Beat Teams and a Retail Crime Team in Christchurch were not contingent on the restructure and will still go ahead. They are priorities for Police in all districts.

Road policing will also remain a priority. It is one of the areas of highest demand in the district.

This has been a long process and I want to thank all those who took time to consider the proposal and discuss it with me. I also wanted to thank those who have put a considerable amount of work into the process, which is very much appreciated.

Lastly, I want to say it has been heartening to see the strong backing our staff working in the rural communities have from the public they serve. Our staff are very dedicated and I can assure you we are committed to serving the people and businesses of Canterbury.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said he supported the District Commander’s decision.

“I want to acknowledge the hard work that was put into the review by District Commander Tony Hill and his leadership team.

“Our staff are exceptional and I am confident Canterbury police will continue to offer an outstanding service across the district.

“While the review proposals had merit, including the proposed 24-7 response model, I have long believed in the value of visible and engaged police who know their communities and the people in them. That is effective both for prevention and law enforcement, in both cities and rural areas.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre